Action Research Grant Application Guidelines

The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) of Eastern New Mexico University
is offering a unique opportunity for public school teachers to obtain
financial support to conduct classroom research on teaching effectiveness
and student learning. The Center for Teaching Excellence is interested
in diversity and encourages applications from teachers of diverse ethnic,
cultural and differently able backgrounds.

Purpose

To improve student learning by encouraging classroom teachers to conduct
action research on innovative instructional strategies to be utilized
in their classrooms

Eligibility

Regularly employed, licensed classroom teachers in New Mexico public schools
are eligible to apply for funding annually for up to three years (i.e.:
year one—new application indicating a multiple year request; year
two—new application including brief summary of prior year's
research; and Year three – New application including brief summary
of prior years’ research). Funding approval is on a yearly basis.
Three or more teachers must apply for a single grant together. Only research-based
proposals that focus directly on the effects of innovative classroom teaching
strategies on student learning will be funded.

Grants

Teachers whose proposals are selected will receive from $500 to $3,000
to cover costs of supplies, materials, consultants, data processing, etc.
associated with their research.

Support for the research component of the grant can be provided by university
faculty. Additional funds (separate from grant funding) in the amount
of $400 are available for faculty who collaborate with Action Research
Grant recipients.

Grants will not cover grant team member stipends, field trips, purchase
of equipment items over $999 (without requested waiver), out-of-state
travel or unrelated expenses. Travel costs to share results with others
are part of the CTE commitment to grant recipients and are reimbursed
from separate funds for the subsequent year.

Grant funding is contingent on annual allocation from the New Mexico
State Legislature.

Criteria

The criteria by which proposals are selected include the following:

Direct focus on effective, innovative teaching/learning research.

Impact:

Direct positive effect on many individuals.

Wide dissemination potential, reproducibility and applicability
to other teaching circumstances in New Mexico.

Cost effectiveness and justification of itemized expenditures.

Clear and realistic statement of objectives, implementation and assessment.

Demonstrated need:

Importance of the project to meet the need of students served.

Unavailability of funds from other sources

Hints

Answer each question thoughtfully and completely. Number and title
each of the five sections. Keep in mind the criteria which the reviewers
will use to rate the proposal.

Make the budget requests relevant to the purpose of the grant. Don’t
pad your budget. Requests that make a little money go a long way will
get high ratings for cost effectiveness.

Consultants can be paid for services at the rate of $15–$60
per hour with a maximum of $300 per day depending on the consultant’s
credentials (i.e., maximum of $60 per hour would require terminal degree
and lengthy experience; $50 per hour would require terminal degree and
some experience; $40 per hour would require masters degree and lengthy
experience; etc.).

Please do not duplicate requests for grants from other agencies.

The expertise of university faculty in research, content, and publishing
can strengthen the application. A stipend of up to $400 is available
to university faculty who collaborate with Action Research Grant recipient
teams. This stipend is paid from separate funds.

Reimbursement Procedures

The grant operates through reimbursement to the school/district. The grant
team leader will submit a completed reimbursement form to the school/district.
The school/district will attach to the reimbursement form a copy of checks,
invoices and purchase orders which were issued for the expenses and forwarded
to the CTE. Reimbursements will be exempt from any school/district surcharges.

Requirements

The statewide CTE Action Research Conference is held each June to share
the results of these research efforts. Grant recipients will be required
to present at the conference. Hotel costs, some meals, mileage and substitute
teachers, if needed, will be covered for up to two presenters.

State Conference/Publication: Grant recipients will be required to give a presentation of the research grant project at a state conference or equivalent sharing during the following
year. For state conference or be published in a state/national publication,
the CTE will pay for substitute teachers, the conference fee and some
travel expenses for up to two presenters.

District/School In-service:
Grant recipients will be required to keep their school, district, and/or
school board informed about the progress and findings of their research.
If a presentation is given to other teachers within the district, the
focus should be relevant to teachers who may want to try the innovation.

Funds for above requirements are in addition to funds allocated to the
grant.

Procedures

Complete the three-page form, using no more than four additional typed
pages, and submit the original and three copies to the CTE (total of four).
Proposal must be received by the second Friday in February of each year.
If the application is faxed to meet the deadline, the original application
and three copies (total of four) must follow by mail to be received by
the following Tuesday. Do not consider the fax as a copy or that the application
is complete once the fax has been sent. The original with required signatures
must be on file for a grant award to be funded. A committee will review
the grant applications and make recommendations to the CTE director. Recipients
will be notified by May of that year.

Final (or year-end) research grant reports are due at the CTE on or
before May 31 of the operating year of the grant. Reimbursement requests
are due to the district business office no later than May 31 of the operating
year of the grant. All reimbursement requests from the district business
office are to be received by the CTE no later than June 15.